1 DISCIPLESHIP DISCIPLESHIP Come follow me I am the Way, the Truth and the Life

2 Discipleship an invitation by God To follow Jesus and be with Him (communion) To abide in Him, (union) To live through Him in the power of the Holy Spirit (fruitfulness)

3 The Disciple’s call “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you, and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.” (John 15:16) Called, anointed and appointed

4 Jesus' Expectations of His Disciples "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John: 13:34-35 "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples." John:15:7-8 "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." John 8:31

5 Jesus' Expectations of His Disciples “ You are my friends if you do what I command you.” John:15:14 “I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.” John 15:16 "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord--and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.“ John13:12-15

6 Discipleship: Priority of relationships “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, and yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14: 26. “He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me,” Mt. 10:37 “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you, No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” John 15:12-14

7 Conditions of discipleship “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27 “So therefore, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple” Luke 14: 33.

8 Christian discipleship is the process by which disciples grow in the Lord Jesus Christ and are equipped by the Holy Spirit, who resides in our hearts, to overcome the pressures and trials of this present life and become more and more Christlike. This process requires believers to respond to the Holy Spirit’s prompting to examine their thoughts, words and actions and compare them with the Word of God. This requires that we read, the Word of God daily—studying it, praying over it, and obeying it. In addition, we should always be ready to give testimony of the reason for the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3:15) and to disciple others to walk in His way.1 Peter 3:15 Discipleship: Growing in the likeness of the Master

9 Practical steps for the journey.. According to Scripture, being a Christian disciple involves personal growth characterized by the following: 1. Putting Jesus first in all things (Mark 8:34-38). The disciple of Christ needs to be set apart from the world. Our focus should be on our Lord and pleasing Him in every area of our lives. We must put off self-centeredness and put on Christ-centeredness. 2. Following Jesus' teachings (John 8:31-32). We must be obedient children and doers of the Word. Obedience is the supreme test of faith in God (1 Samuel 28:18), and Jesus is the perfect example of obedience as He lived a life on earth of complete obedience to the Father even to the point of death1 Samuel 28:18 Philippians 3:6-8

10 Practical steps for the journey.. 3. Fruitfulness (John 15:5-8). Our job is not producing fruit. Our job is to abide in Christ, and if we do, the Holy Spirit will produce the fruit, and this fruit is the result of our obedience. As we become more obedient to the Lord and learn to walk in His ways, our lives will change. The biggest change will take place in our hearts, and the overflow of this will be new conduct (thoughts, words and actions) representative of that change. The change we seek is done from the inside out, through the power of the Holy Spirit. It isn’t something we can conjure up on our own.

11 A Disciple is known by the Love he/she bears for others 4. Love for other disciples (John 13:34-35). We are told that love of other believers is the evidence of our being a member of God's family 1 John 3:10.1 John 3:10 Love is defined and elaborated on in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. These verses show us that love is not an emotion; it is action. We must be doing something and involved in the process. Furthermore, we are told to think more highly of others than of ourselves and to look out for their interests (Philippians 2:3-4). The next verse in Philippians (verse 5) really sums up what we are to do when it comes to everything in life: "our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."1 Corinthians 13:1-13Philippians 2:3-4 He is to us for everything we are to do in our Christian walk.

12 A Disciple makes disciples of others 5. Evangelism - Making disciples of others (Matthew 28:18-20). We are to share our faith and tell non-believers about the wonderful changes Jesus Christ has made in our lives. No matter what our maturity level in the Christian life, we have something to offer. Too often, we believe that we don't really know enough to make a difference. Not true! Share the experience of the love of the living God; that is exactly what we are to share.

13 Living discipleship in the footsteps of St. Francis St. Francis writes.. “In that love which is God (1Jn 4:16), I entreat all my friars, ministers and subjects, to put away every attachment, all care, solicitude, and serve, love, honour, and adore our Lord and God with a pure heart and mind; this is what He seeks above all else. We should make a dwelling-place within ourselves where He can stay, He who is the Lord God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” St. Francis of Assisi Omnibus of Sources (pg )

14 Bringing the life of Christ in our everyday living In conclusion … The Disciple, accepts the Call. Aligns his/ her life with the life of Christ in obedience and submission to God’s holy will. Strives to know, to grow, and live an abiding relationship with God. Cultivates the interior life for ongoing transformation into Christ likeness, and share in His mission and the mission of the Church. Share God’s life in us, bearing His love for others in our everyday life. The disciple is mission driven - go and make disciples of others. The Secular Franciscan lives the SFO Rule: going from gospel to life and life to gospel.

15 Words from St. Francis Consider, brothers, the humility of God and pour out your hearts before Him, and be humbled that you may be exalted by Him. Hold back nothing of yourself for yourself, so that He who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally." - St. Francis of Assisi

16 Discipleship points for reflection 1. How do we model and nurture discipleship in our fraternity? 2.How do we reflect the presence and love of God in our family/ community and fraternity? 3.What are some ways we can share in spreading the good news of God’s salvation to others? 1 Peter 2: 4-5